Mechanical topics are few and far between, I guess...

Gotta think of something to fill void.

Here's one. I'm the process engineer in a metal stamping operation. We are doing a lot of work toward improving the cleanliness of the operation.

Anyone have any experience with predictive maintenance? I'm thinking about looking into some flourescent dye to add to the hydraulic oil in the presses - to assist with finding leaks. I know our refrigeration tech does something similar on our mini-process chillers if he thinks we have a refrigerant leak. After I researched a little on internet, looks like a lot of people offer this option, but I've never used it. If anyone has any experience in using it, chime in.

My background is a little on the side of maintenance, so maybe it doesn't fit with mechanical topics, but this stuff is a pretty cool way to look for difficult to find leaks.

That dye idea is good. When I worked at a steel mill we had terrible problems with leaking cylinders. Our maintenance guys spent the better part of 3 months running around swapping out hydraulic cylinders. Something like that to help track down leaks would have been nice.

Turns out the manufacturer sent us a batch of bad cylinders. I got to sit in on the meeting in which the department and plant manager ripped the vendors ass. Very amusing as a coop student because they took the entire engineering department out for steaks at the riverboat casino across the river.

this lively enough for you?

Am I experiencing Deja View, because I swear I've seen this picture before.

Fudgey - that's actually pretty tame. Although NWS in my area.

Not really your genre' either, unless there's a candy bar floating in the pool....